The Newton City Council is being asked to seek bids on a proposed $100,000 upgrade to some of the traffic signals on First Avenue East, which is also Iowa Highway 6. The City’s Public Works Department says five signalized intersections on the east side of this main street through town do not have ADA signals with an audible sound and pedestrian count-down heads. That can make it difficult for those with certain disabilities to know when it is safe to cross these intersections. The City of Newton has been awarded an Iowa Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Improvement Program grant to pay up to 100% of equipment costs for upgrades to these five traffic signals. The engineer’s estimated cost for the improvements is $102,420.00. If the Newton City Council agrees to seek bids on this project tonight, City staff says the proposed bid opening will occur on January 7, 2025. This evening’s Newton City Council meeting begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall,